On the wall above the desk where I write are several pictures that have meaning to me. One is of me at Easter when I was five years old. I am smiling and wearing a fancy Easter dress with lacy socks and black patent shoes. I looked very confident in my beautiful little self on that day.The other picture is when I was ten years old. It was December, and I sang my first solo in church – “There’s a Song in the Air.” In the picture, I’m smiling, but my smile isn’t very big or confident. My face is now round and chubby and I can see in my eyes that I don’t think I’m very pretty. This breaks my heart when I look at this picture. Part of me wants to hide it away and forget the pain of not feeling good about my young little self. This was the time when the teasing started with other kids. It was the time when dieting became a part of my life, when the obsession with food and my skewed body image would be a huge part of the rest of my life. Many years later, I look at that picture and I still know that little girl so well.So why do I keep that on my wall as a reminder of how I felt so long ago? I mean, I have come a long, long way, right? I’m a mom and a Gram. I’m a pastor. I’m pretty sure of myself today. But there is always a sense of that little girl living in me and I feel a need to honor her and to love her. I want to remember her; to assure her that she was as valued then as I know I am now. It’s true that the past does not define us, but it does play a big part in who we grow into. The 10-year- old me might not have been very confident, but she was kind and talented; she cared for others, even those who hurt her. She also had a developing faith and belief that God loved her and had a plan for her life. I have this challenge to allow the past to be part of the present in a significant, meaningful way. There are things in my past that I would prefer to bury, yet they are all part of what makes me ME today. Sometimes I forget how important it is to embrace every part of my life and to stand on the promise that the Apostle Paul makes in Romans 8 – that God works all things together for good for those who love Him.Do you have memories that cause pain? Memories that you would like to shove deep down inside? How about honoring them as a significant part of who you are? Don’t they make up the compassionate, understanding, sensitive, brave person you are today? .

Recently, I went to my daughter, Annie’s house, to stay with my grandchildren while Annie and her husband were going to be out of town for a week. When I arrived on a Thursday night, the internet was working fine. I was able to connect with their WiFi and was all set. It was important to me to be able to be on the internet because I would need to be working while I was there. I am a pastor and it was the week before Holy Week. I would be there until the evening before Maundy Thursday. I needed to be able to connect with our church secretary as well as other people and places. Annie’s home is in the country and without internet, I have no way of connecting to do my work.

Later that evening the internet went out. It was out every time I checked in the night. The next morning I saw Annie and Eric off and checked the internet. Still out. So I did what my internet company always tell me to do. I unplugged everything. I waited an appropriate amount of time and plugged it all back in. I first did it in the computer room and nothing happened. Then I went to the living room to the box beside the television. I pulled that router out from where it was wedged in, looked carefully where each cord went before disconnecting them. I waited a little time and then connected all the cords back up. This time, where there had been power, there was none. No light came on. Nothing. I was baffled. I traced all the cords to where I could to see if there was something loose but I had no luck. All day, on Friday, I had no internet and it was frustrating. That evening we left to come to my house for the weekend so I could lead worship. On Sunday, we returned to Annie’s house and still, we had no internet.

Annie called her internet/cable company and they suggested I call and have a technician walk me through. So, I did and we talked and he had me try numerous things. Finally, he said, “just unplug everything again and let’s start over. So, I started doing that. I disconnected the two top cords which were like phone jacks. Then I started on the bottom cable. “It’s screwed on kind of tight,” I said. He said, “What? That power cord doesn’t screw on. That cord should just plug into a place in the back.”

Well yes. There was a three-pronged place for a power cord. What I was unscrewing was the cable that went to the television. So, then I realized there must be another cord that I did not see. I started looking and lo and behold, there in the back of the entertainment center just about to slip through the hole where all the cords went to connect to the wall or somewhere else, was the power cord to the wireless router. Apparently when I pulled out the router to look at where each cord went, that power cord unplugged and was gone before I ever saw it. I felt ridiculous but was thankful we figured out the problem. We were not going to ever get power without plugging in to the source of power – the electrical outlet.

So, here’s what I’ve been thinking, once I got over the initial embarrassment of realizing I was looking at the wrong cords. I think we humans tend to be this way far too often. We try and try to have the power on our own to accomplish something. We work so hard on it and we are determined to find the energy and the ability to get it working. And when it is lacking, when it seems there is no real power, we search in all the wrong places to figure out what is going on. We look to ourselves first, trying to see if we are missing something. We give ourselves a pep talk. We look at all our knowledge and skills and wonder why it isn’t enough.

Then, we look at the environment and we try to create scenarios where there might be a problem and how we might solve it. But all the time, we just need to plug in to the power source.

The Holy Spirit is, of course, the source of power for us who are believers. In John 20 we read of the time when the risen Lord Jesus appears to the disciples for a second time, this time to Thomas who had doubted that the others had seen Jesus alive before. John says Jesus breathed on them and said “Receive the Holy Spirit. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”

Without the power of the Holy Spirit, the disciples would not have had the energy, or the motivation, or the courage to do what they had to do for the sake of the gospel. They became “plugged in” to the power source – the Holy Spirit.

Regardless of how much you might look in the wrong places and how foolish you might feel once you realize your search has been futile, just come to the place where you can admit that the only power source you need is in one place. That place is where the Holy Spirit is. That place can be in you, if you just plug in. Not to any other source. Just to the source of power. The mighty power of God, given to us in the Holy Spirit. Breathed into us by Jesus Christ our risen Lord and Savior. Amen.

This week (Holy Week) I'm working at my daughter's house so I can take care of my grandkids while their parents are away on a trip. I'm happy to be here so they can do this. I'm accomplishing quite a bit as I have quiet time during the day.

One thing I did not expect to do, however, is to take care of the livestock. My daughter and family live in the country and have goats and chickens. And one mean rooster. So I was expecting to take care of the kids. But was surprised to hear that I was taking care of the other "kids." Although, really, how difficult can it be to go get goat feed and put it out in the pen for the goats. "You don't have to feed the chickens," said my son-in-law. "They will have enough food. The rooster will attack you if you go out there." I was relieved.

Thing is, the rooster and all the chickens get out every day. So, he's pretty hard to avoid. I knew I could be in trouble yesterday when I went to feed the goats and the rooster was inside the fence with them. I was armed with the bat I was told to take with me. "Don't let him see you are afraid of him," said my daughter. So I said to him, "I'm in control here." And I hit the fence post with the bat. Mr. Rooster didn't flinch. Instead he charged the fence. I said, "Oh no you don't." And hit the fence again. He charged it again and I walked as fast as I could back to the house. Like a boss.

Well, this morning when I looked out I saw that the goats were out of their pen, I texted my daughter to tell her that I wasn't going to deal with that. But she and my son-in-law twisted my arm telling me it was important that the goats not wander next door and eat the cattle food of the neighbors due to how expensive it was. "Just hit that rooster with the bat a couple of times and he'll back off." they said. "And don't show him you're afraid." Mmm hmm. "Put on Eric's work boots so if he attacks you he will just peck at the boots. He can't get any higher," they assured me. (I wasn't really very assured.)

Do you know how difficult it is to run with heavy mud boots that are way too big for you? It's actually impossible! I had the goats trying to eat the chicken food and the rooster comes up behind me and starts giving me you know what. I swung the bat at him and singed his neck. He flapped his wings and came at me. I looked him in the eye - sort of, although it's hard to tell if a rooster is looking at you or not - and I screamed at him and swung again. It was like he was taking his stance and waiting for the next swing. And up he came ready to charge, wings flapping and he started crowing. After about five swings, he strutted off acting like he had won the battle. My heart was racing and I felt weak but I knew who had really won. As scared as I was, I didn't back down. I faced the demon and fought a good fight. I got the goats back in the pen where they belonged and got inside the house without a scratch. And collapsed, shaking and weak. But I did it!

So I keep thinking about other demons in our lives. What are the things that keep us in fear? What is it that keeps me from stepping out and doing the brave, courageous things in life that I know needs to be done? Is it fear of what others will think if I express my opinion or do something I feel passionate about? Is it a fear of looking ridiculous? Or of losing friends? Is it a feeling of failure before I even try? (As in writing a blog and letting people read it?)

What are your demons that keep you inside instead of stepping out in faith? Is it a voice from the past or your inner voice saying you aren't good enough, smart enough, capable enough? I wanted to stay in the house. I insisted I couldn't face that rooster. But with some encouragement (or call it coercion) I went ahead and did it and whether the rooster thought he won or not, I accomplished what I needed to do and survived. I have to admit, I'm not looking forward to going out to feed the goats tomorrow. But I will and I will face that devil again and I will be okay.

And so will you. Go face that demon and do what you are called to do! He might crow and act like a big shot in the coop but it's just a rooster, for gosh sakes. You are stronger than that!

P.S. I tried to get a picture of the rooster but I couldn't get a good shot without getting close to him and - well - I didn't think a picture was that important.

When I was growing up the fourth of July was a big celebration with our family. Mom would be up really early, mixing up blueberry pancakes and frying bacon. We always had family and friends there for great food, swimming in the pond and of course the fireworks. My mother was an only child so having six children was a big deal for her. And being surrounded by lots of family and many friends from the church and the neighborhood was something she (and all of us) looked forward to.

There are many memories I have. Some are the times when I was still at home, and others are from my young adulthood … a mother myself. In those later days, we would gather at the cabin that my parents built after I was married. It was on the land by the pond that we had already enjoyed swimming in. Friends would come and set up tents, bringing food and games to play. One of our friends was a Boy Scout leader who would bake a cake in a hole he dug in the ground.

My husband makes fun of how we called the fireworks at night “Night Works” but that was just what we called them. They were what we saw at night. The others were set off in the daytime.

I miss my family and those great times even more on the Fourth of July than I do at Christmas, or any other time of the year. My mom passed away in 2004 and it seems our family gatherings dwindled away after that. Now my siblings and I all have our own children and grandchildren and some of us manage to get together, although this year, we are many miles away from our children – both Fred’s and mine. My daughter, who is closest, is off camping with her family and some friends, which is wonderful.

So, I am here today, enjoying the memories we have had. I am not feeling sorry for myself at all but am just remembering with smiles and I’m looking forward to being with some friends this evening. I wrote this silly little poem a couple of years ago when I was missing my family on the Fourth of July and I thought I would share it here today. Here it is:

Memories of The 4th of JulyFor my Family

I sit on the deck admiring the clear, blue skyThinking of memories on this 4th of JulyOf blueberry pancakes at the crack of dawnMom’s hair up in curlers – getting her festive mood on!

Her family was big and we were all thereLaughing and swimming, we had not a care.Cat jumped into the plate of my brotherPinwheels flying straight toward me and another.

There was camping and cooking and firecrackers poppingAnd the food! All the food … there was just no stopping!There were hamburgers, hotdogs; a cake in the ground?Homemade ice cream and watermelon seeds to be foundAnd to see who could spit them the furthest, no doubt,often spitting at each other, which caused some loud shoutsOf protest, but really, we all had great fun,Dodging watermelon seeds …We were all on the run!

Of course there was fishing and horseshoes and card games like Pig,And did I mention the firecrackers with booms that were BIG? Such fun times together!But, of course, there was more!The grand finale’, as we sat by pond’s shoreOoohing and aaahing as the “night works” were lit.They weren’t set to music but they were a hit!

I remember all this as I sit here todayMissing my family who are so far away.But I smile as I think of fun times in the pastAnd the love of our family that will forever last!

Happy 4th of July!

Have a wonderful, safe Independence Day, my friends! May peace and grace be abundant for you.God bless!

This is the day that the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)

“Rejoice and be glad.” When you wake in the morning, do you rejoice? Are you glad? This morning I woke and opened my bedroom window. I pulled up a chair and read my morning devotion and then just sat and looked out at the green of summer, listening to the birds singing, feeling a gentle breeze. It was so nice to feel the natural air and not have every window shut so the air conditioner can do it’s job. Don’t get me wrong, I am quite thankful for air conditioning, but was very glad for a cool summer morning!

It’s easy to rejoice and be glad in mornings like this one. But the Psalmist seems to be proclaiming something deeper and beyond those easy summer mornings when you feel like getting out of bed and the sun is shining and the temperature is perfect.

It’s a lot harder to rejoice and be glad when our bodies hurt and feel broken or when the rain is pouring and has been for days. It is more difficult to be glad when it’s freezing outside, and inside as well; when you feel you can’t get warm and comfortable. It’s nearly impossible to rejoice and be glad when you are in grief for whatever loss you have experienced.

And what about the many people who wake up after a night of sleeping on the street or in a homeless shelter; what about those who are in third world countries with disease and hunger pains and oppression; with poverty as their constant companion?

When I visited Costa Rica and Mexico I met some amazing people. Most of them lived in very small, modest houses. A few (in Mexico) were in a house with 3 walls (1 side was open), with dirt floors and no running water.

Yet, my observation of most all of the people I met was that, regardless of their situation in life, they were full of the joy of the Lord. They knew how to praise God every day. There was a warmth and an eagerness to give whatever they could and whatever they had in joyful generosity.

One Christmas, in Nashville, Fred, Annie and I served a Christmas dinner to a group of homeless men. We were so blessed by them and their joyful attitude about it being Christmas. We were greeted by many with “Merry Christmas! Thank you for being here with us!”

When I think of people like that, I give thanks and then I ask God to clean me up, give me a right spirit and help me to rejoice and be glad for every day, no matter what it looks like. Because this is the day the Lord has made. If God has made all my days, then God surely is in every one of them with me.

I don’t know about you but I have found myself feeling a little anxious and agitated lately, and I suspect I’m not the only one. You all watch the news and know what is going on in the world. I’m not going to list all those things here because I’m committing to a change for myself, my own peace of mind, and hopefully, I will have something valuable to say (with God’s help) that might help others to feel some peace and calm in the midst of all this violent storm we seem to be in.

I joined Facebook several years ago because I found it a great tool for keeping up with my family who are spread out in different places. I would never really know much about my nieces and nephews and their children if it weren’t for Facebook. It isn’t the perfect way to have a relationship, of course. I would prefer actually getting together often. But that is not possible. So, with Facebook, I get to see pictures of family and know what they are doing in their lives. We get to communicate with one another where, if it were up to phone calls or letters, it probably would not happen. Unfortunately, social media has been used as a tool for political posts and hateful comments. People try to outdo each other with their own critical ideas and if you read the threads underneath some posts, it is disheartening to find so many people judging one another and calling them ugly names, making accusations. What is happening to our world, I wonder?

Well, I found myself being caught up in it all, and because of it I have felt that agitation; I have felt a lack of inner peace. And I am stopping it right now! I had a revelation the other day as I was caught up in looking for just the right post that would counter the one I had seen that was opposite what I think. I suddenly realized how angry I felt, how shaky and anxious I was feeling. And the revelation was that, out of all my Facebook friends, I doubt that anything I post will change even one mind. People already have their minds made up. It’s more about stating loudly and sometimes obnoxiously what we believe, even if it intends to put those who think differently down. I’m not going to change anyone’s opinion just because I post something, right? But as a trained pastor, as an experienced spiritual leader, I do hope that I have some ability to help people find some peace and feel more grounded. I pray that I might be a vessel of that peace and that, as I reclaim it myself, it will flow out to all of you.

Remember how Jesus appeared to the frightened disciples after they had witnessed his death on the cross? The risen Lord came to them and “breathed on them” and said “peace be with you.” (Luke 24:36; John 20:21, 26). Finally, Jesus said, in John 16:33: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (NLT)

Is it possible to have peace in the midst of chaos? If we put our trust in Jesus and keep our eyes and hearts tuned to him, we can feel at peace even with all that is going on around us. My commitment is to give you positive things to think on in this time. I will be writing and sharing here on my blog and in some brief videos for the next several weeks about having peace in the midst of the chaos. It’s been a long time since I’ve written but I’m ready to go! I hope you will stay with me on this journey of grace.

This year for Lent, I am moving a little bit out of my comfort zone. Through prayer, I have sensed the Holy Spirit leading me to use a tool I have not used in over five years - my potter's wheel. I've always been an amateur, but I did take two semesters of pottery classes back in Kansas. And I'm ever thankful for the gift given to me from First Presbyterian Church in Parsons, Kansas, where I served as pastor for seven plus years.Without having a good place to set up my workshop, the wheel has been in my closet all this time. Until last night. I used it as I gave the Ash Wednesday sermon and plan on continuing for the next five Sunday's in Lent. I have decided to share those sermons here, although they will be what is written, not necessarily what I end up saying, word for word. So, here is the first of the series titled:

Lessons From the Potter: The Potter and the ClayDo you sometimes feel like you’re spinning around and around?There are so many things in our livesthat pull us this way and that way;so many distractions every day. Sometimes my mind feels like it is racingmy brain feels fullmy body is tired, yet can’t stop moving. I’m on a rollI’m spinning fast nowI can’t slow downI can’t thinkI have no balanceLike clay on a potter’s wheel we spin and spin.

The thing with throwing clay on the wheelis that it is really important for the clay to be centered. If the clay is not centered,it doesn’t take long before it begins to fall apart. It leans this way and that way andit finally collapses on the spinning wheel.

And if the potter doesn’t scoop it up and rework it;reform it;eventually, that clay would dry upand return to the dust that it came from. The Bible has many places where it uses the metaphor of God as the potter and us, God’s people, as the clay.

Just like the clay on the spinning wheelour lives become fast moving.Around and around in circles we goWanting to stop, but not sure how to do it.

Yet, if we are ready to be reshaped, reformed,the Potter is eager to do just that!If we will put ourselves into the potters handswe will find that the spinning slows downand the Potter begins doing new things with us.

It might mean that we have to be flattened out,rolled up and thrown into a new heap.But we can trust the Potter, for He has a perfect vision of the image He wants to make us into.

He is always creatingalways molding,always reshaping.

This Lent, I invite you to yield your whole selfinto the Potters Hands.Trust in Him to do whatever He needs to doto make you a new creation;a new vessel for his use, and his enjoyment.

The first question of the Shorter Catechism in our Presbyterian Book of Confessions is:

"What is the chief end of man?"That is - what is our main purpose for existing?Why did the Great, Loving Potter God create us?

And the answer comes: "Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever."

God, the Potter made us, created us for many good things, but the main purpose is for us to glorify Him in all we do, and to enjoy Him forever. To enjoy God!

The clay is made to give glory to the Potter andto enjoy Him by yielding and trusting inthe perfect relationship we have in His skilled hands.This Lent, I invite you to give up your endless, senseless spinning. Allow God, the Potter to work your surrendered spirit into the image God wants you to be. You might still spin, but slower now, and with purpose.

Someday, all of us will return to the dust that we are made from. We are mortal. We are not God.

But that is a very, very good thing!Because God can take even the driest dustAnd breathe life into it again.Through Lent, we remember our mortality,but we never, ever forget that even death is not the end, because of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ – the ultimate gift of love, given to usby God, the Gracious Potter.

Last Sunday I told my congregation that I was feeling a real struggle with what I believe and have preached about being a disciple of Jesus, and what I believe we should do in light of the cruel and merciless attacks of ISIS in the world (particularly after the attacks on Paris a week ago.) I wonder what Jesus would tell his disciples to do? How do we respond, as Christ followers, to the very real threats against our way of life? What should we be doing to protect our children and grandchildren, our country and our freedom?

Since last Sunday we are also discussing whether or not we should allow refugees into our country. Considering Jesus’ teachings and our own country’s history, I have been an advocate of welcoming refugees, sincerely believing that is who we are as Christians and as a nation. Now, as we have learned that at least one of the attacker’s of Paris is believed to have gone into Europe as a Syrian refugee, there are many who are concerned about that being a way for ISIS to come into America.

Both of these issues are, of course, very political. But I want to try my best to ignore the politics (for now) and think about my own response to these issues as a person who tries (and fails, often) to model my life after the life and teachings of Jesus.

In all my studies of Jesus – as human, and as the Christ (the Messiah) – I can’t find a time when he responded to violence with more violence. In the gospels, the only time I can remember him getting angry enough to physically react was in the temple when he found it being defiled with people selling merchandise, and doves for sacrifice. He turned over the tables and he said, “Is it not written: “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations? But you have made it a den of robbers.’” (Mark 11, Matthew 21, Luke 19)

In all other places we read of him responding the opposite of how we humans naturally want to respond to injustice and oppression.

“You have heard it said, ‘Eye for Eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Jesus said “You have heard that it was said ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.’” (Matthew 5)

And in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, he gave us the beautiful Beatitudes in Matthew 5 – so opposite of what we think is powerful and right. And Jesus says (also in Matthew 5) he did not come to abolish the law, but he said, we are to be different – truly righteous – not like the Pharisees and teachers of the law, but surpassing them. Many of them were rigid and unloving and bent on judgment. In fact, they were so afraid of losing authority and power, they had Jesus killed. Jesus, throughout the gospels shows us that is not the way.

And of course, we know that Jesus and his family were themselves refugees, escaping to Egypt when King Herod had all male babies killed, trying to get rid of the one whom people were referring to as the ‘King of the Jews.’ Mary and Joseph and Jesus were a homeless family, fleeing violence and in need of shelter, food and safety. (Matthew 2)

And I think of Isaiah’s prophecy of Jesus – the ‘Suffering Servant.’ “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” (Isaiah 53)

So, this is the Jesus I have come to know. He was not the Messiah people were expecting, or hoping for. He did not rise up in power and form an army and overcome the enemy. At least he did not do it in the way they hoped and it made them furious and they arrested him and beat him and spat on him, and even then he did not do anything, though he could have, as the Son of God.

I may be interpreting all this completely wrong, but this is my own understanding of who Jesus is and if we, who claim to follow him, are to model our lives after him, then that is where I find the dilemma of what I personally WANT to do in response to ISIS and to welcoming refugees, and what I BELIEVE we should do, as Christians.

It is very important to me to wrestle with this, as a church leader, because I take my call to preach the gospel – the Good News of Jesus Christ – with authenticity and truth, as I understand it. Not that everyone should follow what I say, but that they would reflect on their own understanding of Jesus (if they are a follower of Jesus), and to pray, asking for guidance in their own response to these very difficult issues.

That is what I asked my congregation to do last Sunday – to reflect on who they know Jesus to be and to pray, and then to respond to my blog with their own thoughts. I value those opinions because I trust they are as much a faithful follower as I am.

And I know there are many others, some who see things differently than I do, who also have valuable opinions. I would be happy to hear from you. But first, would you please do the reflection and prayer before responding, and try to not be political.

In God’s love and grace!Sharlyn

(I want to clarify that I also value others who may be of a different faith tradition – who may not be a Christian, but who are faithful to God. As a Christian minister, I am writing out of my tradition because that it where my struggle is. Also, all quoted scripture is from the New International Version)

As is true of most all congregations, the little church I serve really treasures the children we have in our church family. We are a small congregation and we love having our young families with their children in worship. It just makes things feel more alive and vital to see those young faces and to hear the voices of the children. Most of the children go to the nursery after at a certain time in the service, but some of them stay throughout the service. Either way is fine with us.

We are blessed, at this time, to have several two year olds among us. They are comfortable with one another because they have been coming to church regularly since they were babies. In fact, they were all born fairly close to the same time and it was a great joy to see rows of pews with moms or dads holding infants. These children also know each other well because some are cousins and a couple are “play date buddies.”

Now these two year olds love to come and sit on the step “up front,” ready for their time with the pastor. (That doesn’t mean they sit still through the entire time with the children, but we don’t care!) One comes with his binky in his mouth. Another brings her blanket. I love that they are so comfortable in the church that they just come, bringing the important things with them!

One morning, a few Sunday’s ago, the congregation was in that time where we say a corporate prayer of confession of sin and then we take a moment for silent, personal reflection before hearing the assurance of forgiveness.We had finished our unison prayer and were in that quiet time when one of the two year olds said loudly “Uh oh!”In just a few seconds his friend across the isle echoed that “Uh oh!” Then we heard it a couple more times through the congregation, finally along with a few stifled giggles. What a great opportunity that was for me, as pastor, to tell the congregation that they are forgiven for all the “uh oh’s” of their lives!

But I keep reflecting on that joyful morning and wondering more about the “uh oh’s” in our lives. Of course, there are so many ways that we sin. To me, sin is best defined as turning away from God, trying to “do it myself” as if I were God. And that kind of self-centeredness leads to greed and pride and hatefulness, among other sin-sick diseases, and if not checked soon, those can lead to great catastrophes sometimes. There are so many little “uh oh’s in our lives that can build up until they become great big “uh oh’s” that keep us awake at night. Things that were said without thinking about how it comes across to the other person; turning someone’s problem around and making it about you, instead of focusing on the person you care about; innocently (or maybe not so much) sharing a confidence that you were told; speaking in a condescending manner to someone you love. Things you can’t really take back.We can say we’re sorry and ask for forgiveness, and we can receive the sweet blessing of grace when forgiveness is given. But the thing that was said has already done its damage. And we can only hope that in time the memory of it will be less because of trust and love that we have worked to build back.

These little “uh oh’s” in our lives can build up until they rob us of sleep. We toss and turn and lament – “Uh oh! If only I hadn’t said this; if I just would have done this instead!”Maybe our prayer should be that an “uh oh” warning sign would pop up in our minds BEFORE anything comes out of our mouths. We should just hear a huge, loud, booming “UH OH!” bonging away in our heads that tell us to keep shut that hole in our face where the river of words come spilling out all over the victim in front of us. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I need this prayer:Lord, grant that when I hear an “uh oh” from you, it is not after I’ve said something I wish I could take back. Make the “uh oh’s” come through loud and clear as a warning that I should be still and tread very carefully so that I don’t make the blundering “uh oh” that is so close to my lips. Amen.Sharlyn

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I am a woman with many interests, yet most of them flow into what is my source of life, my very breath, the reason I do what I do. I am Called. That means, for me, I have experienced a call on my life to serve as a pastor to God’s people. In that calling I love to write, to speak, to lead, and to teach. My deepest desire is to pass on to others what I have experienced in my own journey of grace. I am human, and in that humanity I have known passion and joy, sin and disgrace. Yet, in God’s love I have known nothing but love and redirection and total grace.

I love to read and watch movies; to write both serious things and silly poems; I am a potter, a pianist (although amateur at both); I like satire and lots of humor; I enjoy drawing and painting and dreaming. And writing. I love writing.